Input apparatus following task flow and image forming apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

An input apparatus includes a command input unit to input a command, a key input unit having at least one key, a navigation key input unit having a rotatable navigation key, and a display panel unit to perform displaying according to manipulation of the command input unit, the key input unit, and the navigation key. In the input apparatus, the command input unit, the key input unit, the navigation key input unit, and the display panel unit are arranged in sequence according to a task flow, so a user-friendly input apparatus can be implemented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of prior application Ser.No. 13/736,126, filed on Jan. 8, 2013 which is Continuation of priorapplication Ser. No. 12/276,495, filed on Nov. 24, 2008, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,368,642 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (a) from Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2007-0132415, filed on Dec. 17, 2007, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to an input apparatus andan image forming apparatus using the same. More particularly, thepresent general inventive concept relates to an input apparatus in whichdiverse keys and a display panel are arranged to accommodate a taskflow, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

As electronic technology has been developing, diverse image formingapparatuses such as printers, scanners, copiers, and facsimile machineshave become widespread. Recently, multifunctional apparatusesintegrating functions of diverse image forming apparatuses have beenwidely distributed. The more functions image forming apparatuses have,the more tasks users can perform using the image forming apparatuses.

The user can use the image forming apparatus in the following threesituations: when the user writes and prints a document using a computerconnected to the image forming apparatus; when the user copies or scansa document by manipulating a control panel of the image formingapparatus; and when a facsimile is externally received and printed.

In these cases, the user must be able to input diverse selectioncommands using an operation panel mounted on the image forming apparatusso as to utilize the image forming apparatus conveniently. However,since the image forming apparatus has more diverse functions but isminiaturized, utilizing the image forming apparatus efficiently andconveniently using the conventional operation panel is difficult.

Furthermore, the user needs to recognize whether the image formingapparatus is functioning normally and whether the user is manipulatingthe image forming apparatus normally when the user carries out a desiredtask using the image forming apparatus.

Accordingly, the conventional image forming apparatus provides the userwith feedback of user input using movement of a cursor or texts on theLCD area. However, the LCD area and navigation keys are disperse, so theuser can be distracted. That is, in order to check the feedback(reaction) of the image forming apparatus, the user has to monitor thedisplay unit while manipulating the diverse keys.

In addition, if the structure of the operation panel is complicated toimplement increasingly diverse functions, manipulating the operationpanel by the user is difficulty.

These limitations are not restricted to the image forming apparatus, butare commonly applied to all electronic apparatuses having diverse menus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept provides an input apparatus inwhich diverse keys and a display panel are arranged appropriatelyaccording to a task flow and to provide respective feedback in responseto user input so that the user can input selection commands efficiently,and an image forming apparatus using the same.

Additional aspects and utilities of the present general inventiveconcept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bypractice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present generalinventive concept may be achieved by providing an input apparatusincluding a command input unit to input a command, a key input unithaving at least one key, a navigation key input unit having a navigationkey to perform at least one of a rotation and a selection of adirection, and a display panel unit to perform displaying according to amanipulation of the command input unit, the key input unit, and thenavigation key, wherein the command input unit, the key input unit, thenavigation key input unit, and the display panel unit are arranged insequence.

The display panel unit may include a variable menu button, and a displaypanel disposed next to the variable menu button to perform displaying,and to display a menu to be located corresponding with the variable menubutton.

The display panel unit may further include a mode button disposed at oneside of the display panel to set an operation mode of an electronicapparatus to which the input apparatus is applied.

The navigation key input unit may further include a state display unitincluding a plurality of luminous elements which are arranged along acircumference of the navigation key to provide a user with feedback inresponse to a user input by providing one or more display patternscorresponding to the manipulation of at least one of the command inputunit, the key input unit, and the navigation key.

The state display unit may provide at least one of the display patternsincluding a display pattern having lighting luminous elements of anumber corresponding to a degree of rotating the navigation key, adisplay pattern having sequentially lighting and flickering of theplurality of luminous elements in one direction, a display patternhaving lighting or flickering of the plurality of luminous elements atthe same time, a display pattern having repeating lighting andflickering of the plurality of luminous elements at the same time, and adisplay pattern having changing a color of the luminous elements.

The navigation key input unit may further include a pushable area to beformed on a portion of the navigation key such that if a portion of thepushable area is pressed, the state display unit lights a luminouselement corresponding to the pressed portion of the pushable area, andif the navigation key is rotated while a portion of the pushable area isbeing pressed, luminous elements corresponding to a moving distance ofthe pressed pushable area.

The command input unit, the key input unit, the navigation key inputunit, and the display panel unit may be arranged in sequence accordingto a task flow.

The state display unit may provide at least one of the display patternsincluding a display pattern having sequentially lighting and flickeringof the plurality of luminous elements, a display pattern having lightingof the plurality of luminous elements at the same time, a displaypattern having repeating lighting and flickering of the plurality ofluminous elements at the same time, and a display pattern havingchanging a color of the luminous elements, corresponding to a state ofthe electronic apparatus to which the input apparatus is applied.

The state of the electronic apparatus includes at least one of poweron/off, ready state, power save mode, fax transmission/reception, datatransmission/reception, mail transmission/reception, printing state, anderror occurring.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present generalinventive concept may also be achieved by providing an image formingapparatus including an operation panel unit including a command inputunit to input a command, a key input unit having at least one key, anavigation key input unit having a navigation key to perform at leastone of a rotation and a selection of a direction, and a display panelunit, wherein the command input unit, the key input unit, the navigationkey input unit, and the display panel unit are arranged in sequence, anda control unit to perform displaying corresponding to a manipulation ofat least one of the command input unit, the key input unit, and thenavigation key input unit.

The display panel unit may include a variable menu button, and a displaypanel to be formed next to the variable menu button to performdisplaying, and to display a menu to be located corresponding with thevariable menu button.

The display panel unit may further include a mode button to be formed atone side of the display panel to set an operation mode of an electronicapparatus to which the input apparatus is applied.

The navigation key input unit may further include a state display unitincluding a plurality of luminous elements which are arranged along acircumference of the navigation key, and to provide a user with feedbackin response to a user input by operating according to a display patterncorresponding to the manipulation of at least one of the command inputunit, the key input unit, and the navigation key.

The image forming apparatus may further include a storage unit to storeinformation regarding the display patterns, and an engine controller tocontrol an operation of forming images, wherein the control unit detectsthe information regarding the display pattern corresponding to themanipulation of at least one of the command input unit, the key inputunit, and the navigation key, operation state of the engine controller,and state of the image forming apparatus, from the storage unit, andcontrols the state display unit to perform displaying corresponding tothe detected information regarding the display pattern.

The information regarding the display pattern includes informationregarding lighting luminous elements of a number corresponding to adegree of rotating the navigation key, sequentially lighting andflickering the plurality of luminous elements in one direction, lightingor flickering the plurality of luminous elements at the same time,repeating lighting and flickering the plurality of luminous elements atthe same time, and changing a color of the luminous elements.

The control unit controls the state display unit to display at least oneof the display patterns including a display pattern having sequentiallylighting and flickering of the plurality of luminous elements, a displaypattern having lighting of the plurality of luminous elements at thesame time, a display pattern having repeating lighting and flickering ofthe plurality of luminous elements at the same time, and a displaypattern having changing a color of the luminous elements, correspondingto a state of the image forming apparatus.

The state of the image forming apparatus may include at least one ofpower on/off, ready state, power save mode, fax transmission/reception,data transmission/reception, mail transmission/reception, printingstate, and error occurring.

The navigation key input unit may further include a pushable areadisposed on a portion of the navigation key such that if a portion ofthe pushable area is pressed, the state display unit lights a luminouselement corresponding to the pressed portion of the pushable area, andif the navigation key is rotated while a portion of the pushable area isbeing pressed, luminous elements corresponding to a moving distance ofthe pressed pushable area.

The command input unit, the key input unit, the navigation key inputunit, and the display panel unit may be arranged in sequence accordingto a task flow.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the generalinventive concept may also be achieved by providing an input apparatususable with an electronic apparatus, the input apparatus including adisplay panel unit to perform displaying according to a user input, anda plurality of input units to allow the user to provide input to theelectronic device, wherein an arrangement of the display panel unit andthe plurality of input units with respect to each other on the inputapparatus is in a sequential order corresponding to an order of actionsto be performed by the user to perform a predetermined task.

The plurality of input units may include a command input unit to input acommand, a key input unit having at least one key, and a navigation keyinput unit having a navigation key to perform at least one of a rotationand a selection of a direction.

The display panel unit may be disposed on a first end portion, thecommand input unit may be disposed on a second end portion opposite tothe first end portion, the key input unit may be disposed between thedisplay panel unit and the command input unit, and the navigation keyinput unit may be disposed between the key input unit and the displaypanel unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and utilities of the present generalinventive will become apparent and more readily appreciated from thefollowing description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inputapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of the inputapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of manipulatinga navigation key;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a process ofnavigating menus according to manipulation of the navigation key;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of astate display unit;

FIGS. 5B to 5D are diagrams illustrating diverse display patterns;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imageforming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of theimage forming apparatus of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order toexplain the present general inventive concept by referring to thefigures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inputapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the input apparatus 100includes a display panel unit 110, a navigation key input unit 120, akey input unit 130, and a command input unit 140.

The display panel unit 110 displays menus to set diverse functions of anelectronic apparatus in which the input apparatus 100 is mounted,results of executing each function, and messages from the inputapparatus 100.

The navigation key input unit 120 includes a navigation key to navigateeach menu displayed on the display panel unit 110. The navigation keymay be implemented as a wheel, a jog shuttle, or a jog dial to rotate,for example, 360°. The user can navigate the menus on the display panelunit 110 by rotating the navigation key.

The key input unit 130 includes at least one key to input diverseselection commands, such as number keys, and text keys.

The command input unit 140 includes command buttons to input diversecommands, such as a start command and a finish command.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display panel unit 110 is located leftmoston the input apparatus 100, and the navigation key input unit 120, keyinput unit 130, and command input unit 140 are disposed in sequence on aright portion of the display panel unit 110. This location is determinedconsidering a task flow of the user. For example, such a sequentialarrangement would correspond to a predetermined task to be performedthat would require a user to first, view the display panel 110; second,use the navigation key input unit 120; third, use the key input unit130; and fourth, use the command input unit 140.

In greater detail, the user looks at the menus displayed on the displaypanel unit 110, and selects a desired menu by manipulating thenavigation key on the navigation key input unit 120. The key input unit130 may also be used to select the menu. If the menu is selected, theuser executes the desired task by manipulating the command input unit140 located rightmost on the input apparatus 100. That is, in order toprocess the task, the user can execute the desired task from left toright efficiently without confusion.

For example, if an electronic apparatus to which the input apparatus 100is applied is a facsimile machine or a multifunctional apparatus havinga facsimile function, the user identifies a current state of theelectronic apparatus on the display panel unit 110, and selects anoption for facsimile transmission and reception using the navigationkey. Subsequently, the user inputs a fax number of a destination usingnumber keys on the key input unit 130, and then inputs an executioncommand to transmit the fax using the command input unit 140.

For another example, in the case of a scanner or multifunctionalapparatus having a scan-to-email function, the user selects desiredoptions using the display panel unit 110 and navigation key input unit120, inputs a mail address of a destination using the key input unit130, and selects an execution command on the command input unit 140.Therefore, the user can operate the input apparatus 100 along the onedirection to prevent distracting the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of the inputapparatus of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display panel unit110 may include a display panel 111, variable menu buttons 112, and modebuttons 114.

The display panel 111 may be implemented as a liquid crystal display(LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT), plasma display panel (PDP), or organiclight emitting diodes (OLED).

The variable menu buttons 112 and mode buttons 114 are located alongsides of the display panel 111. The variable menu buttons 112 arebuttons which can vary menus to be executed when one of the variablemenu buttons 112 is selected according to the settings of the user. Thatis, the variable menu buttons 112 can be used as multi-purpose buttons.Menus 113 are displayed on one side of the display panel 111 tocorrespond to the variable menu buttons 112. The menus 113 remain on thedisplay panel 111 although an image displayed on the display panel 111changes. The menus 113 corresponding to each variable menu buttons 112include various types, such as “menu,” “basic setting”, and “job state.”The types of the menus 113 can be changed by the user.

The mode buttons 114 are buttons by which the user can change anoperation state of the electronic apparatus to which the input apparatus100 is applied when the electronic apparatus has various operationstates, for example, if the electronic apparatus is a multifunctionalimage forming apparatus including a scanner, facsimile, and printermodes. Accordingly, the mode buttons 114 can be located around thedisplay panel 111 so that the user can notice them with ease. That is,the mode buttons 114 may be located on the right side of the displaypanel 111 in a row as illustrated in FIG. 2, or located on an upper orlower side horizontally.

In FIG. 2, the variable menu buttons 112 and mode buttons 114 areimplemented as hardware buttons, but may also be implemented astouch-screen buttons.

The navigation key input unit 120 includes a navigation key 121 and astate display unit 122. A press button 123 may be formed on thenavigation key 121. The navigation key 121 rotates about the pressbutton 123.

The press button 123 can operate as a confirmation key to set a menuselected by the navigation key 121.

The state display unit 122 is formed along a circumference of thenavigation key 121, so if the user manipulates the navigation key 121,the key input unit 130, or the command input unit 140, the state displayunit 122 provides feedback corresponding to the manipulation.

The state display unit 122 includes a plurality of luminous elements.Various display patterns can be provided by lighting or flickering eachof the luminous elements in sequence, or lighting or flickering theluminous elements at the same time. For example, the state display unit122 may be implemented as a light emitting diode (LED) module includinga plurality of LEDs. Hereinafter, the state display unit 122 implementedas an LED module is described as an example.

The state display unit 122 displays the state using a display pattern,such as by lighting LEDs of a number corresponding to a degree ofrotating the navigation key 121, by sequentially lighting and flickeringthe plurality of LEDs in one direction, by lighting and flickering theplurality of LEDs at the same time, by repeating lighting and flickeringthe plurality of LEDs at the same time, or by changing color of theLEDs.

Moreover, the state display unit 122 may change the display patternaccording to the operation state and condition of the electronicapparatus to which the input apparatus 100 is applied. That is, when theelectronic apparatus exhibits a particular condition, such as poweron/off, ready state, power save mode, fax transmission/reception, datatransmission/reception, mail transmission/reception, printing state, anderror occurring, the state display unit 122 lights or flickers the LEDsin a different display pattern depending on each of the situations, sothat the user can realize the state of the electronic apparatus withease.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a display pattern of the state displayunit 122. If the user presses “a” area on the navigation key 121, an LED122 a corresponding to the “a” area is lit. The remaining LEDs stayunlit. In this state, if “a” area of the navigation key 121 is rotatedto “b” area, the LED 122 a corresponding to the “a” area is flickeredand the LED 122 a corresponding to the “b” area is lit. In anotherexample, if “a” area of the navigation key 121 is rotated to “b” area,two LEDs corresponding to the “a” and “b” areas may be all lit. Thestate display unit 122 may further include an opaque sheet to cover theLEDs, so light of the LEDs can be dispersed and seen dimly.

FIG. 4A illustrates a state of navigating menus on the display panelunit 110 (FIG. 2) according to manipulation of the navigation key 121(FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 4A, various types of higher menus, suchas “basic”, “edit”, “application”, and “setting”, are displayed on thedisplay panel 111 of the display panel unit 110, and each higher menumay change according to a mode which is supported by the electronicapparatus to which the input apparatus 100 is applied.

If one of the higher menus is selected, lower menus belonging to thehigher menu are displayed under the higher menu. At first, “basic” menuand respective lower menus thereof are displayed, and if the navigationkey 121 is rotated by one increment clockwise as illustrated in FIG. 3,“edit” menu which is at the right side of the “basic” menu is selected,and the lower menus of the “edit” menu, such as “move image”, “deleteoutline”, “both-sided”, . . . , and “ccc”, are displayed.

FIG. 4B illustrates a process of navigating lower menus on the displaypanel unit 110 (FIG. 2) according to manipulation of the navigation key121 (FIG. 3). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4B, in the state that the “edit”menu is selected, if the press button 123 is pressed, a cursor islocated on the “move image” menu which is the first menu of the lowermenus which are subordinate to the “edit” menu, as illustrated in theleft drawing of FIG. 4B. The press button 123 may be located on anyplace of the navigation key 121 other than a center of the navigationkey 121 in plurality of numbers. The cursor may be expressed byillustrating color, shade, or flickering of the lower menu iconsdifferently.

In this state, if the navigation key 121 is rotated clockwise again, thecursor moves to the “delete outline” menu as illustrated in the rightdrawing of FIG. 4B. If the press button 123 is pressed, the “deleteoutline” menu is selected and applied to the task.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the menu navigation operation using only thenavigation key 121. However, menu selection can also be performed usingnumber keys on the key input unit 130 by allocating a number to eachhigher menu and lower menu. That is, since the key input unit 130 ofFIG. 2 includes a plurality of number keys and other selection keys, theuser can personally input a fax number of a destination, email of adestination, or a short text message.

Referring to FIG. 2, the command input unit 140 which is locatedrightmost on the input apparatus 100 includes a start command key 141,and a stop/clear key 142. If menu selection and function settings arecompleted using the navigation key 121 and the key input unit 130, theuser can input a command to execute a task using the command input unit140.

That is, the user firstly identifies selectable menus on the displaypanel unit 110 which is located leftmost on the input apparatus 100,navigates the menus using the navigation key input unit 120 and the keyinput unit 130 which are located right of the display panel unit 110,and executes the task using the command input unit 140 which is locatedrightmost on the input apparatus 100. Therefore, since a focus of theuser can move along the one direction on the input apparatus 100,distracting the user can be prevented.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating various display patterns of thestate display unit 122 (FIG. 2) of the navigation key input unit 120(FIG. 2). For convenience of description, the description focuses on theLEDs except for the opaque sheet on the state display unit 122.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5A, the state display unit 122 are implementedas a plurality of LEDs in pairs. That is, the state display unit 122includes the LEDs of 8 pairs (for example, #1 and #16 are in pairs), andtwo LEDs constituting one pair may have different colors. Displaypatterns of two or more colors can be provided by combining the LEDs of8 pairs having different colors (for example, #1 and #16). For example,if the LEDs of 8 pairs consists of red LEDs (#1 to #8) and blue LEDs (#9to #16), red LEDs and blue LEDs are used separately or are used togetherto display a display pattern of pink color.

The color of the plurality of LEDs (#1 to #16) can be used to display astate of the electronic apparatus to which the input apparatus 100 isapplied. For example, if the input apparatus 100 is applied to an imageforming apparatus, the blue LEDs are used when the image formingapparatus is in a normal state. When the image forming apparatus is inerror states, such as in a toner empty state, paper jam state, and coveropen state, the red LEDs are used. In addition, when the image formingapparatus is in a warning state, such as in a toner low state and papermismatching state, the blue LEDs and red LEDs are used together todisplay pink light.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the state display unit 122 (FIG.2) can sequentially light and flicker the LEDs (1^(st)→2^(nd)→ . . .8^(th) LED order) when the electronic apparatus to which the inputapparatus 100 is applied is performing a job or searching for a menu ora file.

In addition, the state display unit 122 can repeatedly light and flickerthe LEDs at the same time as illustrated in FIG. 5C, and the statedisplay unit 122 can sequentially light the LEDs and flicker all litLEDs at the same time as illustrated in FIG. 5D.

Such various display patterns are set to correspond to an action of theuser or the operation state of the electronic apparatus, and can easilyprovide feedback of results of the action or the state of the electronicapparatus to the user.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel unit 110, navigationkey input unit 120, key input unit 130, and command input unit 140 arelocated considering a right-handed user, and may also be located ininverse order in order to correspond to left-handed users. Furthermore,the display panel unit 110, navigation key input unit 120, key inputunit 130, and command input unit 140 are located horizontally in FIGS. 1and 2, but may also be located vertically. That is, the display panelunit 110 may be located uppermost, and the command input unit 140 may belocated lowermost, so the focus of the user flows from an up to downdirection from viewing the display panel unit 110 to viewing the commandinput unit 140.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the imageforming apparatus 300 to which the input apparatus is applied. The imageforming apparatus 300 includes an operation panel unit 100 and a controlunit 200. The operation panel unit 100 can be implemented with the inputapparatus 100 as illustrated FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, so for convenience ofdescription, the reference numeral of the operation panel unit is sharedwith the reference numeral “100” of the input apparatus.

The user can select desired menus and input commands using the operationpanel unit 100.

If the user manipulates at least one of the command input unit 140, thekey input unit 130, and the navigation key input unit 120 on theoperation panel unit 100, the control unit 200 change and displays menuson the display panel unit 110. If a desired menu is finally selected, atask of applying a function of the selected menu is performed. That is,copying, scanning, printing, or fax transmission and reception can beperformed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the configuration ofthe image forming apparatus 300 of FIG. 6. The image forming apparatus300 further includes an engine controller 210, and a storage unit 220 inaddition to the operation panel unit 100 and a control unit 200.

The engine controller 210 controls an operation of an engine whichsubstantially forms images, and operates a developing unit, a chargeunit, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a photoconductive unit, a transferunit, and a fusing unit according to bitmap images input by the controlunit 200. This is the case when the image forming apparatus 300 is alaser image forming apparatus, and the present general inventive conceptcan also be applied when the image forming apparatus 300 is an inkjetlaser image forming apparatus.

The engine controller 210 notifies an operation state thereof (forexample, a state of forming an image, a stand-by state, or an erroroccurring state) to the control unit 200. Therefore, the control unit200 operates the state display unit 122 to illustrate appropriatedisplay patterns according to the operation state of the enginecontroller 210 and the state of the image forming apparatus 300. Thestate of the image forming apparatus 300 includes power on/off, readystate, power save mode, fax transmission/reception, datatransmission/reception, mail transmission/reception, printing state,error occurring, and other states.

Information regarding display patterns is detected from the storage unit220. The storage unit 220 stores information regarding display patternsaccording to diverse operation states, such as by lighting LEDs of thenumber corresponding to the degree of rotating the navigation key 121,by sequentially lighting and flickering the plurality of LEDs in onedirection, by lighting and flickering the plurality of LEDs at the sametime, by repeating lighting and flickering the plurality of LEDs at thesame time, or by changing color of the LEDs.

As described above, the control unit 200 provides the user withappropriate feedback according to the user input or the operation stateof the image forming apparatus 300, so the user can recognize thecurrent operation state of the image forming apparatus 300.

As can be appreciated from the above description, an input apparatuswhich can be applied to diverse electronic apparatuses including animage forming apparatus according to various embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept includes a display panel, diverse buttons, anda rotatable navigation key which are arranged according to a task flow.Therefore, such a user-friendly input apparatus allows the user to inputselection commands more efficiently and conveniently.

Although various embodiments of the present general inventive concepthave been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the general inventiveconcept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus having a printingmode, a copying mode and a scanning mode, the image forming apparatuscomprising: a command input portion having a command key to receive acommand input; a numeric input portion having a numeric key to receive anumeric input; a navigation input portion having a direction unit toreceive a direction input and a pressing unit to receive a pressinginput, respectively; a display portion to display one or more menu itemsin response to one of the direction input and the pressing input, theone or more menu items associated with a function mode selected amongthe printing mode, the copying mode and the scanning mode and each beingdesigned to select an operation to be executed under the selectedfunction mode; and one or more mode buttons provided adjacent to thedisplay portion, the one or more mode buttons including a copy functionbutton to select the copying mode and to cause a copy user interfacescreen to be displayed in the display portion, the copy user interfacescreen showing a menu item relating to the copying mode, and a scanfunction button to select the scanning mode and to cause a scan userinterface screen to be displayed in the display portion, the scan userinterface screen showing a menu item relating to the scanning mode,wherein the command input portion, the numeric input portion, thenavigation input portion, and the display portion are arranged insequence such that the navigation input portion is located between thenumeric input portion and the display portion and such that the numericinput portion is located between the command input portion and thenavigation input portion in a front region of the image formingapparatus.
 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more menu buttons located adjacent to the displayportion, wherein in the copying mode, a first menu button of the one ormore menu buttons corresponds to a first menu item displayed in thedisplay portion and associated with a copying operation to be executedunder the copying mode, and in the scanning mode, the first menu buttonof the one or more menu buttons corresponds to a first menu itemdisplayed in the display portion and associated with a scanningoperation to be executed under the scanning mode.
 3. The image formingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the navigation input unit furthercomprises: a state display unit including one or more luminous elementswhich are arranged along a circumference of the direction unit toprovide a user with feedback in response to a user input by providingone or more patterns, each pattern corresponding to a manipulation of atleast one of the command input unit, the numeric input unit, and thenavigation input unit.
 4. The image forming apparatus of claim 3,wherein the one or more patterns including a first pattern being formedby lighting at least one of the one or more luminous elementscorresponding to the direction input of the direction unit, a secondpattern being formed by sequentially lighting and flickering at leastone of the one and more luminous elements in one direction, a thirdpattern being formed by lighting or flickering at least one of the oneor more luminous elements at the same time, a fourth pattern beingformed by repeating lighting and flickering of at least one of the oneor more luminous elements at the same time, and a fifth pattern beingformed by changing a color of at least one of the one or more luminouselements.
 5. The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein thenavigation input portion further comprises: a pushable area to be formedon a portion of the navigation input portion such that when a portion ofthe pushable area is pressed, the state display unit lights a luminouselement corresponding to the pressed portion of the pushable area. 6.The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the state display unitprovides at least one of the display patterns including a displaypattern having sequentially lighting and flickering of the plurality ofluminous elements, a display pattern having lighting of the plurality ofluminous elements at the same time, a display pattern having repeatinglighting and flickering of the plurality of luminous elements at thesame time, and a display pattern having changing a color of the luminouselements, corresponding to a state of the image forming apparatus. 7.The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the state of the imageforming apparatus comprises at least one of power on/off, ready state,power save mode, fax transmission/reception, datatransmission/reception, mail transmission/reception, printing state, anderror occurring.
 8. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedisplay portion displays a status of the image forming apparatus.
 9. Theimage forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the status of the imageforming apparatus includes at least one of power on/off, ready state,power save mode, fax transmission/reception, datatransmission/reception, mail transmission/reception, printing state, anderror occurring.
 10. An input apparatus that is usable in an imageforming apparatus comprising: a command input portion having a commandkey to receive a command input; a numeric input portion having a numerickey to receive a numeric input; a navigation input portion having adirection unit to receive a direction input and a pressing unit toreceive a pressing input, respectively; a display portion to display oneor more menu items in response to one of the direction input and thepressing input, the one or more menu items associated with a functionmode selected among a printing mode, a copying mode and a scanning modeand each being designed to select an operation to be executed under theselected function mode; and one or more mode buttons provided adjacentto the display portion, the one or more mode buttons including a copyfunction button to select the copying mode and to cause a copy userinterface screen to be displayed in the display portion, the copy userinterface screen showing a menu item relating to the copying mode, and ascan function button to select the scanning mode and to cause a scanuser interface screen to be displayed in the display portion, the scanuser interface screen showing a menu item relating to the scanning mode,wherein the command input portion, the numeric input portion, thenavigation input portion, and the display portion are arranged insequence such that the navigation input portion is located between thenumeric input portion and the display portion and such that the numericinput portion is located between the command input portion and thenavigation input portion in a front region of the image formingapparatus.
 11. The input apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: oneor more menu buttons located adjacent to the display portion, wherein inthe copying mode, a first menu button of the one or more menu buttonscorresponds to a first menu item displayed in the display portion andassociated with a copying operation to be executed under the copyingmode, and in the scanning mode, the first menu button of the one or moremenu buttons corresponds to a first menu item displayed in the displayportion and associated with a scanning operation to be executed underthe scanning mode.
 12. The input apparatus of claim 10, wherein thenavigation input unit further comprises: a state display unit includingone or more luminous elements which are arranged along a circumferenceof the direction unit to provide a user with feedback in response to auser input by providing one or more patterns, each pattern correspondingto a manipulation of at least one of the command input unit, the numericinput unit, and the navigation input unit.
 13. The input apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the one or more patterns including a first patternbeing formed by lighting at least one of the one or more luminouselements corresponding to the direction input of the direction unit, asecond pattern being formed by sequentially lighting and flickering atleast one of the one and more luminous elements in one direction, athird pattern being formed by lighting or flickering at least one of theone or more luminous elements at the same time, a fourth pattern beingformed by repeating lighting and flickering of at least one of the oneor more luminous elements at the same time, and a fifth pattern beingformed by changing a color of at least one of the one or more luminouselements.
 14. The input apparatus of claim 12, wherein the navigationinput portion further comprises: a pushable area to be formed on aportion of the navigation input portion such that when a portion of thepushable area is pressed, the state display unit lights a luminouselement corresponding to the pressed portion of the pushable area. 15.The input apparatus of claim 12, wherein the state display unit providesat least one of the display patterns including a display pattern havingsequentially lighting and flickering of the plurality of luminouselements, a display pattern having lighting of the plurality of luminouselements at the same time, a display pattern having repeating lightingand flickering of the plurality of luminous elements at the same time,and a display pattern having changing a color of the luminous elements,corresponding to a state of the image forming apparatus.
 16. The inputapparatus of claim 15, wherein the state of the image forming apparatuscomprises at least one of power on/off, ready state, power save mode,fax transmission/reception, data transmission/reception, mailtransmission/reception, printing state, and error occurring.
 17. Theinput apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display portion displays astatus of the image forming apparatus.
 18. The input apparatus of claim17, wherein the status of the image forming apparatus includes at leastone of power on/off, ready state, power save mode, faxtransmission/reception, data transmission/reception, mailtransmission/reception, printing state, and error occurring.